Always Keep Learning

By Don A. Kiamie, Westchester Chapter President

Never stop learning. Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.”

The above quote was published in Investor’s Business Daily on Tuesday, March 1.

One of my first sources for continuing my learning process is the NYSSCPA. My original reason for joining was for networking purposes, but an added benefit was that I was able to continue learning. This learning process continues today through the Society. In my opinion, this is one of the most important value-added features that one can get from active participation with the Society and one’s local chapter.

My first learning experience was at the chapter level. In the early 1990s, I decided to get involved with the Accounting Careers and Education Committee of the Westchester Chapter and their high school visitation program. I guess you could say I went back to school.

Within the next few years, I was asked to chair the Business Information Technology Committee. Other members thought I was a “techie” because I carried around a laptop bag. Little did they know the bag was empty, but it seemed like a good idea since everyone else was doing it. Getting the chance to set up several evening technical sessions was a great learning process.

My next Westchester Chapter learning experience was when I was asked to join the board. At the time, I didn’t know about the value a CPA in industry could add to the board. The value I received was the knowledge and support from the other board members.

Next, the Financial Planning Committee was having a difficult time and I was asked to chair this committee. This was another valuable learning experience in knowledge and communication, mostly because, I think, each committee member also wanted to be the chair. In fact, one of the members told me that I had nothing to contribute and asked how I could even think of being the chair.

My most recent committee assignment was Chair of the Chief Financial Officers and Senior Financial Officers Committee. Again, through listening to the members (which was a learning experience), we created a successful committee.

I also want to tell you about my first experience with a state committee. I volunteered (I should have remembered from my Army ROTC days never to volunteer) to chair the Real Estate ETS subcommittee. Naturally, in a prime example of Murphy’s Law, at the first ETS session I moderated, the key speaker did not show up. Not only was this a valuable learning experience, but the outpouring of networking and peer support turned out to be more than I could imagine. My learning process continues through the NYSSCPA and being active in other committees.

Take a minute during this busy tax season and ask yourself these questions: What have I learned from this experience? What skills have I acquired or failed to use? Do I need more training? Can others benefit from my training?

I never want to forget that it is through your support that we have a successful chapter. Never let me forget to listen to our members. Never let me forget to keep learning.

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